The O’s under-18 midfielder played four times for the non-league club last month as part of a work experience loan and impressed everyone at the Bostik Premier outfit.

Orient assistant coach Ross Embleton sent the second year scholar to the ProKit UK Stadium, after Ruel Sotiriou had enjoyed a loan with the Hertfordshire side, and the Waltham Forest College pupil caught the eye.

Smith, who is managing the Blues alongside former O’s forward Jamie Cureton, said of Kyprianou: “He is a really good lad.

“He come in and did well. He had a good attitude and it is different for youngsters coming from professional clubs.

“They are playing academy football and then straight into this, but Ross let us have him for a few games and he has a great attitude.

“I think he has a big future in the game and I know Orient really rate him and he is a really great lad and a good footballer.

“Orient have been great for us. We had Ruel for a little while and he was another really good kid, so I can speak highly enough of the boys or the club.”

Kyprianou has received a lot of plaudits lately after he was selected in the latest League Football Education’s ‘The 11’ for October.

The quarterly award, which runs in line with the review periods at college – October, December, February and May – acknowledges the football and academic progress of under-18s on apprenticeships at current or ex-Football League sides.

Smith doesn’t expect any of the praise to go to the head of Kyprianou, who appears to have an excellent mentality.

“He very much has an older head,” said Stortford’s owner. “When boys come out of academy football and come into this – strong and physical non-league football – it can be a bit of a wake-up call for them, but Hector adapted himself really well.

“Technically, as you would expect being a pro, he was very, very good and so I am sure he has a big future in the game.”